Making Memories® Embellishment Center & Desktop Carousel

Making Memories® Embellishment Center & Desktop Carousel
For my USA and Canada friends and readers (As Michael's is only in US and Canada) other do read on on as the same can be made if your handy with wood and or know someone who is....


I had to tell you about this since I just now got word of it and think its a very nice way to display your craft materials and supplies while keeping them where they can be seen in a nice organized way. I am all about organization and keeping things in sight so they can be used, I have learned the hard way from my past ways and don't want you all to follow in my old footsteps.

I did not yet find out the price and know I probably could not afford to get one even for myself this year, but if I could I would purchase one for all my crafty friends. Since I can not though, I thought why not at least let you all know about it so if you have those last minute lists for Santa you can add it, and or maybe the handyman in your life can make you one similar. It looks rather easy.

I have a few shadow boxes I already use in my work studio and aside from the dowel that holds rolls of craft ribbon which I don't have, everything else is pretty much the same less the decorative molding along the top. I have no troubles finding what I need and things now are actually being used while at the same time I am not running out for things I could have swore I already had but could not find and yet have that project that still requires it. So out to the store to spend more money to get whatever it is again. Don't you know I always find the ones I already thought I had once I have already gone out to get more!

My resolution for the new year is to be even more organized than I already am and to use up lots of the clay and other craft items I have laying around for that "Need it one day" situation BEFORE THEY ALL DRY OUT and get WASTED. I say the days are coming in the New Year, and 2008 is going to be a Craftabulous Year!!!(do not seek a definition this is a Cre8 Cre8ted word!!!)

Enjoy the holiday and the information. You get it at Michael's Crafts or make one yourself!

Oh yeah and carousel is also a nice way to keep you clay sculpting and other tools you need to keep handy. If you have a Lazy Suzan and some time, some cardboard roll tubes from toilet paper or even paper towels you can make your own!

Miniature Dollhouse Artist's Studio by La Rocca

This artist's studio by La Rocca is on sale right now! It will make an exceptional gift for any serious dollhouse or miniature collector. Contact heathermiller411@yahoo.com for details.


One look inside, and you will truly feel you are in a real artist's studio.

On one side you find a distressed wooden table with paints, real bristle brushes, cans of turpentine, a pair of eyeglasses. Look closely at the amazing miniature painting on the wooden easel, and you will see it is signed by the artist. And take a look at the still life from which it comes – the broken glass bottle, the perfect slices of fruit, the knife, sitting on the distressed wooden table.

Inside the fire place is real burned wood. Stacked against the walls – more canvases, tiny paintings, wooden frames, a broom. On a wooden stand you’ll find books, a bottle of wine, a roll of newsprint, a box with real charcoal. And there are many more special and amazingly realistic pieces throughout the studio, too numerous to describe.

On the wood floor sits a wooden box with pencils, erasers, exquisitely tiny razor blades. In another box – tubes of paint. A small stool holds a palette with paint and tiny palette knife. At the back, a wooden shelf hangs over an old porcelain sink stained with paint. By the window on the right, you find a sculptor’s table with sculpting tools and a wonderful, unique wire figure. On a stand nearby you find a sculpture in progress.


The studio is wired, with a wall sconce on either side of the stone fireplace, and two other working lights. It sits on a base measuring 25x15 inches. The studio itself is 18 inches across, 11 inches deep and 9 inches high. The glass lid lifts up for easy access. This art studio is a unique and wonderful piece.

Sweet Memory Chocolate Shop by Kim Saulter

This 1:12 scale miniature chocolate shop roombox by artist Kim Saulter was sold on eBay a fortnight ago at a winning bid of $455.75! A wonderful deal, in my opinion. All candy comes with the shop. The display case is full and there is a wonderful popcorn machine full of popcorn too! It comes with gold scoop and jar of popcorn on top. Also included is a working cash register made by Bodo Henning and costs $80.00 ~ it even has money inside! Kim has left all chocolates and sweets in the front bay window loose so that the display could be rearranged at any time.


The chocolate display shelf is stocked with chocolates from a kit by "Lisa's little things," candy boxes from "Wishing Well miniatures" and candy bags made by Cathy McGhee of "Fabulous Farmhouse."


The wonderful shop keeper doll was made by Bonnie Justice. She is busy decorating her shop for Christmas. There is a little boy shopper busy deciding what to buy. He has curly brown hair and freckles on his face. Oh and the kitty is helping with the garland!

To view more of Kim's creations, visit:
http://community.webshots.com/user/kimsdollhouses

Titania's Palace

Titania's Palace was constructed by the English painter and officer Sir Neville Wilkinson from 1907 to 1922.

Sir Wilkinson's daughter Gwendolyn claimed to have seen a fairy running under the roots of a tree, in the woods beside their home at Mount Merrion House. She was convinced that they lived in holes in the ground and deserved to have a fine house in which to live instead!

The palace consists of 18 rooms and salons, which contain hand-carved mahogany furniture. There are 3000 tiny works of art and miniatures from around the world on display inside the palace. The palace used to be displayed at Legoland, Denmark, but has found a new home in Egeskov Castle in Denmark now.

There is a miniature replica of Titania's Palace called Tara's Palace that is on display in Malahide Castle, Dublin.

Here is the link she gave me, and you can take a look yourself:

http://www.miniaturen-jose.nl/Titania's%20Palace.htm

My New Red Brick Orchid Dollhouse

So here it is, my latest from a long line of Orchids. This one is extra special to me, since it is my first try at both paper-clay bricks and internal wiring for lights. It sports 4 lights: 3 tulip sconces and a ceiling light. The exterior foundation is covered in river rocks and moss, which has become a signature of sorts for all my houses.

The interior is done in harmonious tones of cream and beige, creating an excellent backdrop for furniture and decorations. The floor, and ceiling moldings match the mahogany floor and window frames. Little details, such as the golden doorknob, or the raised details on the exterior trims, makes this dollhouse a truly one-of-a-kind creation.

This dollhouse is on eBay right now. Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290170879650&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=019

Thorne Miniature Rooms

Here are some photos my friend Naved took at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The Thorne Miniature Rooms were on a traveling exhibit at the museum.